Keeping Your Driver's Licence: Renewal & Requirements

Ontario Driver's Licence Requirements:

All drivers in Ontario should have a one-piece licence card with photograph and signature. You must carry your licence with you whenever you drive and produce it when a police officer requests it.

Licence Renewal Process:

You will get a renewal application form in the mail. Take the form to any ServiceOntario Centre where they will take photographs. You will be asked to sign the form, show identification, pay a fee and have your photograph taken. You will get a temporary licence on the spot if your application and documents are in order, and your permanent one will be mailed to you.

If you do not get a renewal application form when your licence is due for renewal, call the Ministry of Transportation. You are responsible for making sure you have a valid driver's licence. You can renew an expired car or motorcycle driver's licence within one year without taking any tests.

Re-application Requirements:

If your licence has been suspended, cancelled or expired for more than three years, you will be required to re-apply for a licence in Ontario and meet all the requirements of graduated licensing, including passing all the required tests.

Senior Drivers (Age 80 or Older):

If you are 80 years of age or older, you are required to renew your driver's licence every two years. This renewal process helps keep seniors mobile and independent longer, while helping to ensure that unsafe drivers are identified and appropriate actions are taken.

Senior Driver Renewal Requirements:

• Undergo a driving-record review

• Complete a vision test

• Participate in a 45-minute group education session

• Complete an in-class screening component

• May be required to pass a road test

• May need to submit medical information

There is no charge for any of the licence-renewal requirements. You only have to pay the licence-renewal fee.

How Aging Affects Driving Safety:

• Reduced vision - especially at night

• Difficulty judging distance and speed

• Limited movement and range of motion

• Slower reaction time

• Difficulty focusing attention for long periods

• Easily distracted

• More time needed to understand what you see and hear

• More use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs that may impair driving

Safety Tips for Senior Drivers:

• Check with doctor or pharmacist about medication effects

• Report vision changes, dizziness, or pain to your doctor

• Avoid driving when experiencing pain

• Have hearing and eyes checked regularly

• Follow exercise programs to maintain flexibility and strength

• Consider taking a driver's course to refresh knowledge

Changing Name or Address:

You must tell the Ministry of Transportation within six days of changing your name or address. When you change your address, you can do this on the ServiceOntario website, at a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office, or by mail. When your name changes, take required documents and your current licence to a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office. There is no charge for getting a new licence because you change your name or address.

Graduated Licensing Requalification:

Novice drivers have five years to complete the graduated-licensing process. If your Class G1, G2 or M2 licence is about to expire and you have not completed the process, you can regain or retain the same class of licence by passing a test and paying the five-year licensing fee. This is called 'requalification.'